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REPORT 


OF    THE 


SELECT  COMMITTEE, 

Appointed  by  the  Senate  of  the  Confederate  States  to  examine  into  the  con- 
dition of  Hospitals,  and  report  by  bill  or  otherwise. 


The  Select  Committee  appointed  by  the  Senate  to  investigate 
the  complaints  of  the  sick  and  wounded  in  the  hospitals,  and  to  in- 
spect the  same,  ask  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 

The  Condition  of  the  Hospitals,  §~c. 

• 

The  numerous  complaints  made  throughout  the  country,  and  through 
the  public  press,  in  reference  to  the  condition  of  the  Army  Hospitals, 
and  the  treatment  there  received  by  the  sick  and  v.  ounded.  made  the 
subject  one  of  deep  and  earnest  solicitude  on  the  part  of  Congress 
and  the  public  generally.  Some  member  of  the  Committee,  has 
visited  in  person,  all  the  public  hospitals  located  in  and  near  the  city 
of  Petersburg,  and  all  the  principal  hospitals  in  and  near  the  city  of 
Richmond,  making  a  most  thorough  examination  into  their  several 
conditions,  as  it  related  to  their  cleanliness,  the  attention  and  care 
bestowed  upon  the  sick,  the  condition  of  the  beds  and  bedding,  the 
food  and  diet  allowed  and  provided,  and  the  general  wants,  defects 
and  necessities  of  the  same.  In  undertaking  to  discharge  the  duties 
assigned  them  by  the  Senate,  it  was  the  purpose  of.  the  Committee  to 
make  their  examination  thorough  and  complete.  To  this  end  they 
availed  themselves  of  all  the  information  they  could  obtain  by  con- 
versing with  the  sick  and  the  surgeons  in  charge,  with  the  determi- 
nation of  submitting  to  Congress  the  whole  truth,  whether  painful  or 
agreeable,  and  now,  after  having  made  this  examination,  realize  the 
most  agreeable  satisfaction  in  reporting,  that  though  many  of  the 
complaints  made  by  the  sick,  are  well  founded  in  fact,  yet  they  are 
in  no  manner  attributable  to  the  inattenti  n  ox  neglect  of  the  surgeons 
in  charge. 


All  these  complaints  relate  to  causes,  over  which  the  Medical  De- 
partment have  no  control,  under  existing  laws,  and  therefore,  can  af- 
ford no  remedy. 

They  principally  relate  to  a  want  of  proper  food  or  diet,  to  proper 
clothi&g  and  nursing.      As    it   regards  the  condition  of  the    hospitals, 
their  appearance  generally  is   that  of  instil  at  ions  well  conducted,  in- 
deed, in  most  cases  excellently  conducted,  when  we  take  into  conside- 
ration   the    attendant   circumstances.     The    beds    and  bedding    were 
generally   clean,  the   rooms  well    ventilated,  the   floors,  dining  rooms 
and  culinary  departments,  all  neat  and  in  good  order;   the  patients  in 
most  instances,  comfortable  and  cheerful;  especially  was  this  the  case, 
mi  all   hospitals  visited    or   in    any   manner   superintended   by  ladies. 
In  making  this  report,  the  Committee  do  not  intend  to  be  understood 
as  conveying  the  idea,  that  all  our  hospitals  are  equally  well  managed, 
and  that   all   present  the   same    appearance  of  neatness,  comfort    ami 
order.     They  do  not.     There   was  not  only  a  difference    in   the   vie  re 
appearance  of  the  hospitals  themselves,  but  a  very  striking  difference 
in  the  appearance  and  cheerfulness  of  their  inmates.      Those  present- 
ing   an   appearance    less    neat,  however,  for    them  exception   to  the 
general   character  of   the   whole.      Having  said   this  much,  it  would 
appear  as  a  matter  of  justice  to  those  not  embraced  within  the  ex- 
'ij.tional  class   as  above  defined,  that   specifications  should  be  made. 
Jn   attempting  to  do  this,  the   Committee  feel  that  they  might  still 
dd   a   greater   wrong,   not    because   this  exceptional  class  have  suc- 
led  so   well   in   their   undertaking,  or  perhaps  exercised  as  much 
taste  and  vigilance  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  but  rather  because 
they  seem  to  have  done,  and  still  seem  anxious  to  do  all  they  can  un- 
ci >r  the  circumstances. 

The  man  who  strives  with  a  zeal  wortny  of  success,  and  who  yet 
fails  to  succeed  so  completely  and  perfectly  as  another,  ought  not  hasti- 
ly to  be  condemned.  He  should  rather  be  upheld  and  strengthened 
in  his  efforts,  because  integrity  of  purpose  and  sleepless  vigilance 
will  finally  prevail.  Your  Committee  feel  assured  that  it  is  the  uni- 
versal desire  of  all  those  having  in  charge  the  hospitals  visited  by 
them,  to  render  to  our  sick  and  wounded  all  the  aid  and  assistance 
they  can.  They  urge  anxiously,  every  reform  in  the  wdiole  system 
that  promises  this  result,  and  your  Committee  are  equally  anxious 
that  Congress  should  perform  promptly  and  availably  its  duty  in  the 
premises.  The  number  of  sick  and  wounded,  now  in  the  hospitals, 
is  not  so  large  as  heretofore.  The  number  dangerously  ill  is  com- 
paratively small.  A  large  majority  now  in  the  hospitals  being  sol- 
diers, who  from  general  debility,  resulting  from  exposure  in  camps, 
the  heat  of  summer  and  long  marches,  have  been  unable  to  remain 
with  their  regiments  on  the  march,  and  therefore  have  been  sent  to 
the  hospital  to  rest  and  recruit.  This  large  class,  in  a  few  weeks,  are 
generally  suflieiently  restored  in  health  to  rejoin  their  their  regiments. 
A  majority  of  those  dangerously  ill,  were  laboring  under  attacks  of 
Typhoid  Fever,  Typhoid  Pneumonia,  Erysipelas,  and  Chronic  Diar- 
rhoea. 

As  before  stated,  the  general  complaints  made  by  the  sick,  relate  to 


a  -want  of  proper  food,  both  in  quantity  and  quality ;  a  proper  pre- 
peration  of  it,  additional  clothing  and  competent  and  skillful  nurses. 
It  is  not,  under  existing  laws  and  regulations,  in  the  power  of  sur- 
geons in  charge,  to  remove  these  grounds  of  complaint.  They  grow- 
out  of  the  imperfection  of  the  system  itself,  and  can  only  be  remedied 
by  Congress. 

The  supplies  furnished,  are  not  of  a  quality  suitable  for  the  sick. 
This  was  the  universal  opinion  of  all  surgeons  who  expressed  an 
opinion  updn  the  subject.  The  surgeons  cannot  obtain  suitable  sup- 
plies of  food,  because  the  hospital  fund  is  not  sufficient  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  they  have  no  other  means  at  their  disposal. 

They  now  have  the  greatest  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  limited  sup- 
ply of  poultry,  vegetables,  &c,  now  used  in  the  hospitals,  and  are 
compelled  to  pay  the  most  exorbitant  prices  for  them.  The  quantity 
they  do  obtain  is  not  sufficient  for  the  necessities  of  the  sick. 

After  having   exhausted  the   hospital  fund,  they  can  buy  no  more,, 
and  are  then  compelled  to  take  whatever  supplies  the  commissary  may - 
furnish,  whether  suitable  or  not.     For  this  very  serious  cause  of  com- 
plaint there  is  one  remedy  in  the  pow3r  of  Congress,  and  that  remedy 
may  be  made  complete  and  efficacious,  and  that  is,  to  increase  the  hos- 
pital fund.   Under  existing  regulations  this  fund  is  formed  in  the  hands  i 
of  the  commissary,  by  the  Government  allowing  for  each  ration  not 
drawn  for  the  use  of  the  sick  the  sum  of  thirty  cents.     This  fund  or 
amount  rather,  may  be  drawn  by  the  surgeon,  and  be  expended  for  such  . 
articles  as  are  not  furnished  by  the  commissary. 

The  ration  that  the  sick  soldier  does  not  draw  at  present  prices  costs - 
the   Government  about  one  dollar.      It  ought  certainly  to  be  worth  as 
much  when  purchased  by  the  Government   from  a  sick   soldier  in  the  • 
army,  as  when  purchased  from  another  person  not  in   the  army.     Let 
the  Government  then  pay  as  much  for  it,  and  in  doing  this  it  will  be 
doing  only  even  handed  justice  to  all  parties.     To  enlarge   this  hos- 
pital fund  so  as  to  make  it  sufficient  for  all  purposes,  let  the  Govern- 
ment allow  for  each  ration  not  drawn,  the   sum  of  one  dollar,  instead! 
of  thirty  cents  as   now  allowed.      Should  it  be  urged   in  opposition  to  - 
this,  that  this  fund  might  become  too  large,  and  be  liable  to  waste  or 
embezzlement,  it  may  be  replied  that  the  fund  never   passes   into  the 
surgeon's  hands  until  required,  but  remains  in  the -hands  of  the  com- 
missary, who  is  a  bonded  officer  of  the  Government.     To  guard  against 
all  chances  of  fraud,  the  act  enlarging  the  fund  can  provide  that  when 
the  fund  shall  exceed  a  certain  amount,  the  excess  shall  be  placed  in  the 
public  treasury  to  the  credit  of  the  hospital,  and  alone  subject  to  the 
order  of  Congress.     Should  this  fund  be  increased  in  the  manner  as 
above  stated,  great  economy  may  be  practiced   in  procuring   supplies 
for  the  hospitals,  by  allowing   surgeon's  in  charge  to   appoint  one  or 
more  agents,  to  proceed  to  the  country,    and   there  make   such   pur- 
chases as  may  be  needed.     The  sick,  above  all  things,  desire  and  re- 
quire a  change  of  diet.     The  food  they  require  is  generally  simple, 
such  as  butter  milk,  vegetables,   poultry,  &c,  but  this  they  ought  to 
have.     To  make  the  whole  matter  complete,  when  the  fund  is  enlarged 
and  the  agent  appointed,  let  the  Government  provide  him  with  a  gen- 


oral  transportation  ticket  upon  all  railroads  and  canals,  when  in  the 
service  of  the  hospital,  and  let  all  railroad  agents,  and  agents  and  of- 
ficers of  canal  boats  be  compelled  promptly  and  without  delay  to  trans- 
port all  such  articles  as  may  be  purchased  for  the  use  of  hospitals,  to 
the  place  or  places  required  ;  and  to  guard  against  all  fraud  on  the  part 
of  this  agent,  let  him  he  required  every  week  or  two  weeks  to  render 
an  account,  sworn  to  and  verified  by  vouchers.  Unless  some  such 
system  be  adopted,  the  sick  in  the  hospitals  will  continue  to  complain 
and  continue  to  suffer. 

AY  hen  winter  approaches  the  difficulties  will  increase.  If  Congress 
will  perform  its  duty,  all  this  may  he  averted,  and  their  action  in  the 
premises  will  meet  the  approval  of  all  good  men.  Worst  in  the  series 
of  complaints  is  the  want  of  additional  clothing,  a  proper  preparation 
of  the  food,  and  better  and  more  competent  nurses. 

These  are  serious  causes  of  complaint,  but  can  be  easily  removed 
without  much  difficulty  or  expense.  In  most  instances,  when  the  sick 
soldier  enters  the  hospital  he  has  but  one  suit  of  clothing,  and  that 
upon  his  back,  and  generally  all  soiled  and  stiff  with  dirt.  The  sur- 
geon in  charge  cannot  furnish  more  suitable  clothing,  because  he  has 
none  to  furnish.  They  are  evidently  necessary  for  more  purposes 
than  one,  and  should  be  had  if  possible,  because  cleanliness  is  not 
only  necessary  to  general  health,  but  is  essentially  so  in  a  hospital. 
To  remedy  this  difficulty,  each  surgeon  in  charge  of  a  hospital  can  be 
authorized  to  draw  from  the  quartermaster  a  number  of  suits  of  cloth- 
ing, especially  pants,  shirts  and  drawers,  equal  to  the  number  of  beds 
in  his  hospital,  to  be  denominated  and  kept  as  hospital  clothing,  to  be 
used  alone  by  the  sick,  and  turned  over  to  the  hospital  Stewart  when 
the  soldier  recovers,  and  leaves  the  hospital  to  rejoin  his  regiment. 

Hospital  Nurses   and  Ward  Matrons. 

The  nurses  and  ward  matrons  now  acting  in  the  hospitals  are  gener- 
ally selected  and  chosen  from  the  convalescent  soldiers,  who  in  most 
cases  are  without  experience,  and  hence  know  but  little  of  the 
very  delicate  and  important  dnt'es  they  arc  required  to  perform.  In 
addition  to  this,  it  may  be  asserted  with  truth  that  as  a  general  thing, 
soldiers  in  most  instances  are  less  qualified,  and  therefore  make  the 
most  indifferent  and  careless  nurses  that  could  be  selected. 

Familiar  with  hardships  and  suffering  they  become  to  some  extent, 
callous  and  indifferent.  Under  existing  regulations,  should  one  now 
and  then  display  qualities  th  it  render  him  efficient  and  competent  for 
these  duties,  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  surgeon's  in  charge  to  retain 
liim.  He  is  liable  at  any  time  to  be  ordered  to  duty  in  the  field,  and 
hence  his  place  must  then  be  supplied  by  another  without  experience. 
This  system  of  constant  change,  fills  your  hospitals  with  awkward  and 
inefficient  nurses  and  ward  masters.  And  too,  it  is  well  known  to  all 
p  i  sons  of  observation  that  nursing  and  attending  upon  the  sick,  is  to 
some  extent  a  talent  or  gift  not  possessed  by  all  men.  A  good  nurse 
must  not  only  be  active  and  attentive,  he  must  also  be  kind,  patient 
and  sympathetic.     But  few  men  possess  these  qualities  in  a  very  high 


degree,  when  required  to  display  them  in  a  sick  chamber,  where  durin" 
each  minute  and  hear  for  days,  weeks  and  months  they  arc  constantly 
taxed   and   called   into   requisition.     Hence,    when  such  qualities  are 
evinced,  it  should  be  in  the  power  of  the  surgeon,  upon  requisition,  to 
have  such  men  permanently  detailed  for  this  duty,  and  only  to  be  re- 
moveable  by  him  for  inattention  or  neglect.     Tiiis  will  give  you  com- 
petent ward  masters  and  nurses  for  your  hospitals,  as  far   as  the   ne- 
cessities of  the  hospitals  may  make  their  services  important.      And  for 
certain  purposes  they  are  important  and  cannot  be  dispensed  with.    It 
is  also  well  known  that  men  generally  have  but  little  capacity  in  pre- 
paring delicacies,  suitable  to  the  taste  of  the  sick,  and  yet   this  is  of 
the  highest  importance.      A  sick  man  not  only  requires  a  suitable  diet, 
suitably   prepared,  but    ho  also  requires  a   comfortable   bed,  a  quiet 
chamber,  and  tender  and  faithful  nursing.     To  secure  these  important 
results,  your  committee  recommend,  that  each  surgeon  of  a  hospital. 
or  the  division  of  a  hospital,  be  required  to  substitute  in  all  cases  where 
it  may  be  done  with  propriety,  competent  female  nurses,  to  the  extent  of 
the  number  now  allowed  by  law,  and  that  such  female  nurses  be  of  good 
character,  and  each  be  allowed  and  paid  the  sum  of  twenty-five  dollars 
per  month,  and  in  addition  to  the  female  nurses,  above  named,  that  i 
females  of  good  character  be  employed  for  each  ward  of  the  hospital  to 
act  as  ward  matrons,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  exercise  a  general  super- 
intendence over  the  cleanliness  of  their  respective  wards,  to  see  that  the 
beds  and  bedding  are  kept  neat  and  clean,  the  food  for   the   sick   pro- 
perly prepared,  and  the    medicine   properly  administered,   and   that 
patients  very  ill  are  properly  nursed  and  cared  for,  and  all  other  mat- 
ters relating  to  the  domestic  comfort  and  order  of  such  ward,  and  thai 
they  be  allowed  and  paid   each,  the  sum  of  thirty   dollars  per  month. 
And  in  addition  to  the  nurses  and  ward   matrons  above  named,  that 
for  each  hospital  two  females  of  good   character,   with  domestic  expe- 
rience, be  employed  to  act  as  chief  matrons  of  the  hospital,  to    exer- 
cise a  general  superintendence  over  all  the  wards,  and  ward  nurses  and 
ward  matrons,  to  receive  and  take  charge  of  all  delicacies  provided  for 
the   sick,    to   distribute  them  when  necessary,    and  to  see   that   even- 
thing  relating  to  the  domestic  economy  of  the  hospital  is  kept  in  per- 
fect order,  and  that  they  be  allowed  and  paid   each,  the  sum   of  forty 
dollars  per  month.     And.   in   addition  to  these,  that   two   females   be 
employed  for  each  hospital,  to  act  as  laundresses,  whose  duty   it  shall 
be  to  take  charge  of  all  beds  and   bedding,  and  all   clothing   used  by 
the  sick,  to  see  that  all  are  kept  properly  washed  and  in   good   order, 
and  they  each  be  paid  the  sum  of  thirty  dollars  per  month.     . 

Should  these  recommendations  be  carried  into  effect,  your  commit- 
tee arc  confident  that  an  entire  reformation  and  improvement  will 
have  been  made,  not  only  in  the  domestic  comfort  and  order  of  your 
hospitals,  but  in  a  moral  point  of  view  its  results  will  be  of  incalcu- 
lable benefit.  It  is  not  alone  necessary  to  sustain  the  physical  being 
of  man  by  food  and  drink.  His  sympathies,  his  social  and  moral  na- 
ture are  of  an  importance  equally  nigh,  and  exercise  not  only  a  con- 
trolling influence  over  his  happiness,  bat,  in  many  instances  over  hia 
health.     In  all  the  qualities  essential   to   insure   these   important  re-- 


suit?,  it  will  require  no  power  of  logic  in  this  practical  and  sensible 
age  to  prove  that  woman  is  greatly  man's  superior.  Her  sympathies 
not  only  soothe  the  afflicted,  but  her  tenderness  and  kindness  often 
afford  relief.  With  less  physical  courage  to  resist,  she  yet  has  higher 
moral  courage  to  endure,  and  hence,  never  falters  or  grows  weary  in 
doing  good.  With  more  heart  she  is  necessarily  more  constant,  more 
generous,  more  devoted  and  patient.  Always  responsive  when  her 
humanity  is  appealed  to,  she  has  sympathies  warmer,  more  religious, 
more  earnest  and  refined.  Her  very  presence  is  a  rebuke  to  every 
impropriety,  and  when  permanently  introduced  into  your  hospitals, 
Avill  shed  a  gleam  of  neatness,  cheerfulness,  comfort  and  moral  excel- 
lence around  and  about  them  not  yet  realized.  To  the  sick  soldier 
surely  nothing  could  be  more  grateful  than  this.  In  this  manner,  during 
hours  of  suffering,  he  will,  to  some  extent,  realize  those  pure  joys, 
which  make  home  and  wife  so  dear  to  every  manly  heart,  while  the 
brave  boy,  separated  from  friends,  and  prostrate  upon  a  bed  of  dis- 
ease, will  again  be  reminded  of  her  whose  motherly  love  was  the  first 
recollection  of  his  childhood,  and  whose  earnest  prayers  were  the  first 
to  direct  his  young  heart  to  the  throne  of  Grace.  In  all  the  hospitals 
visited  by  your  committee  it  required  no  effort  to  detect  evidences  of 
her  presence,  where,  from  the  unselfish  motive  of  doing  good,  she  had 
voluntarily  gone.  In  all  such  hospitals  there  was  an  air  of  neatness, 
cheerfulness  and  comfort  no  where  else  to  be  seen.  In  these  recom- 
mendations your  committee  are  sustained  by  the  almost  universal 
opinion  of  the  surgeons  in  charge  of  your  hospitals.  These  opinions, 
in  writing,  accompany  this  report.  In  these  opinions  will  be  found 
the  names  of  Miss  S.  Tompkins  and  her  assistants,  of  Robertson 
Hospital;  Mrs.  Clopton  and  her  assistants,  Clopton  Hospital;  Mrs. 
Randolph,  Miss  Nicholas,  Miss  Mitchell,  Miss  Campbell,  Miss  King 
and  others,  Winder  Hospital;  Mrs.  Hopkins,  2d  Alabama  Hospital; 
The  Sisters  of  Charity,  Louisiana  Hospital  ;  Mrs.  E.  E.  Mayo,  Sa- 
maritan Hospital;  Mrs.  Fisher  and  Mrs.  Jenkins,  Soldiers'  Home 
Hospital ;  The  Sisters  of  Charity,  St.  Francis  Infirmary :  Mrs.  Gen'l 
Henningscn,  Henningsen  Hospital.  Your  committee  know  with  what 
inate  delicacy  and  modesty  ladies  shrink  from  public  notoriety,  yet  in 
these  instances  they  feel  that  those  whose  noble  deeds  of  charity  and 
benevolence,  so  delicately  and  patriotically  displayed,  should  be  known 
to  the  mothers,  wives  and  sisters  of  the  Confederacy  whose  noblest  vir- 
tues they  have  illustrated  in  watching  patiently  by  the  dying  couch 
•of  many  a  brave  soldier  so  dear  to  their  hearts. 

A  Re- organization  of  Hospitals. 

From  inspection  and  earnest  enquiry  into  all  the  facts  connected 
•"with  the  subject  the  committee  are  of  opinion  and  submit  the  recommen- 
•  dation,  that  our  whole  hospital  system  be  so  re-organized  as  to  repre- 
sent, to  some  extent,  State  institutions,  by  requiring  the  sick  and 
wounded  of  the  different  States,  to  be  sent  to  the  hospital  or  hospitals 
representing  that  particular  State.  Should  this  be  done  it  will  greatly 
add  to  the  comfort  of  your  hospitals  as  well  as  give  especial  satisfac- 


tion  and  pleasure  to  the  sick,  by  placing   acquaintances   and  friends 
together. 

In  another  point  of  view  it  will  be  highly  beneficial  in  obtaining 
supplies.  The  donations  made  by  different  States  and  individuals 
to  hospitals  where  their  sick  were  located  must  not  be  underrated. 
Should  this  be  done  the  citizens  of  the  different  States  will  continue 
to  contribute  much  for  the  use  of  such  hospitals  in  the  way  of  delic  •- 
cies,  clothing,  &o.  This  has  been  the  history  of  all  such  hospitals  as 
have  been  regarded  by  the  public  as  State  institutions.  It  will  al  o 
enable  persons  in  search  of  their  friends  and  relatives  to  find  them 
with  less  difficulty.  At  present  this  is  almost  impossible.  If,  how- 
ever, the  present  tendency  of  the  system  is  to  progress  until  all  are 
merged  into  one  general  system,  it  will  be  impossible  for  friends  at  b 
to  know  where  their  kindred  and  acquaintances  are  located,  and 
hence,  as  they  become  the  more  doubtful  ftpon  this  subject,  their  in- 
terest in,  and  their  donations  to  hospitals  will  gradually  disappear  and 
finally  cease  altogether. 

Indeed,  to  our  "regret,  we  learned  from  those  having  in  charge  hos- 
pitals which  were  at  one  time  regarded  as  State  institutions,  but  now 
as  general  hospitals,  that  but  few  donations  were  now  received  coin- 
pared  with  those  made  before  the  special  and  local  character  of  the 
institution  was  lost.  No  one  can  estimate  the  value  of  those  contri- 
butions heretofore  made,  and  if  the  present  system  should  so  operate 
as  to  cause  them  to  cease  altogether,  its  effect  must  be  seriously  f<  It 
by  the  sick  and  wounded.  Charity  is  beautiful  ;  and  that  disintei 
charity  which  inspires  a  love  for  the  whole  human  race.  "  for  the  Bake 
of  doing  good/'  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  noblest  of  virtues.  There 
arc  many  such,  but  still  the  great  mass  are  but  human  beings,  influ- 
enced, to  some  extent,  by  personal  prejudices  and  partialities.  In  at- 
tempting to  legislate,  it  is  certainly  wise  to  remember  this.  All  3U  li 
feel  a  more  direct  interest  in,  and  regard  for,  those  whom  they  esteem 
as  their  kindred  and  friends,  than  for  any  one  else.  To  them  they 
will  give  more  than  to  strangers.  This  being  so,  we  believe  it  will  be 
wise  so  to  organize  our  system  as  to  make  it  respond  in  character  to 
the  wishes  and  partialities  of  the  public.  In  this  way  we  will  stimu- 
late their  feelings  and  create  direct  claims  upon  them. 

Personal  Responsibility  of  Surgeons. 

Your  committee  believe,  could  a  more  direct  personal  responsibility 
be  created  upon  hospital  surgeons,  by  a  judicious  change  or  modifica- 
tion of  the  system  to  that  extent,  it  would  produce  the  most  desirable 
results.  In  that  event,  when  the  sick  complain  of  inattention  or  neg- 
lect or  improper  diet,  there  can  be  no  escape  under  the  plea  that  his  re- 
quisitions were  not  regarded,  or  that  the  Commissary  or  Quartermas- 
ter would  not  furnish  the  articles  desired.  A  surgeon  thus  situated 
will  have  higher  inducements  to  stimulate  and  energise  hisf  ai  - 
tions.  It  will  inspire  a  higher  desire  for  success  and  distinction, 
and  create  the  most  honorable  and  praiseworthy  emulation.  Should 
this  be  done  the  sick  soldier  will  know  exactly  to  whom  he  is  to  look 


8 

for  all  care  and  attention,  and  the  surgeon  will  know  that  he  cannot 
escape  public  reprehension,  by  charging  the  blame  upon  some  one 
else.  In  creating  this  more  direct  individual  responsibility  upon 
surgeonsj  it  need  in  no  manner  interfere  with  proper  subordination  in 
the  Medical  Department.  Let  each  hospital  surgeon  be  required  to 
control  the  entire  domestic  economy  of  his  hospital.  Let  him  ap- 
point his  own  stewart  and  agents  to  obtain  supplies,  and  be  held  re- 
sponsible for  their  faithful  performance  of  duty.  Let  him  employ  his 
female  matrons  and  nurses  and  all  ward  masters  and  nurses.  Let  him 
be  the  sole  judge  of  the  beds  and  bedding  necessary  for  the  sick  under 
his  charge,  and  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  provisions  to  be  used. 
Let  him  use  his  election  whether  he  will  accept  or  draw  hospital  stores 
from  the  Commissary,  or  commute  the  same  and  draw  the  money. 

Such  a  reform,  your  committee  believe,  would  result  in  incalculable 
benefit  to  the  hospitals,  and  they,  therefore  make  the  recommenda- 
tion. 

The  Pay  of  Sick  Soldiers  and  Granting  them  Furloughs. 

The  refusal  of  Quartermasters  to  pay  sick  or  wounded  soldiers, 
separated  from  their  regiments,  who  are  without  descriptive  lists,  has 
occasioned  great  inconvenience,  and  done  great  injustice  to  this  large 
class  of  our  army.  This  injustice  has  resulted  more  from  a  want  of 
foresight  (if  not  cold  neglect),  on  the  part  of  Government  officials, 
than  from  any  defects  in  existing  laws.  An  order  has  now  been 
issued  by  the  Adjutant  General,  which  will  remove  this  cause  of  com- 
plaint, in  part,  while  the  act  reported  by  the  Medical  Committee  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  will  make  the  remedy  complete  and 
effectual. 

The  same  may  be  said  in  reference  to  the  power  of  hospital  sur- 
geons, to  grant  furloughs  to  the  sick  and  wounded.  At  this  time,  no 
such  power  exists.  It  is  confined  exclusively  to  an  Examining  Board, 
appointed  for  that  purpose. 

That  a  sick  soldier  should  desire  «to  go  home,  is  but  natural,  and 
and  this  makes  it  the  more  painful  and  embarrassing  for  the  Govern- 
ment to  deny,  in  most  cases,  their  request.  In  opposition  to  the  pro- 
priety of  transferring,  or  rather,  vesting  the  sole  power  of  granting 
furloughs  in  this  Board  of  Examiners,  it  is  urged  that  it  is  an  unne- 
cessary embarrassment,  and  a  restriction  that  virtually  destroys  the 
right  of  furlough  to  a  great  extent,  in  practical  operation.  Nor  is 
this  power  unrestricted  in  the  Board  of  Examiners.  They,  acting 
under  instructions,  have  no  power  to  grant  a  furlough,  except  upon 
one  condition,  and  that  condition  is,  that  the  furlough  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  the  recovery  of  the  soldiers'  health.  This,  of  course,  ex- 
tends the  benefit  of  the  system  to  but  few.  It  is  also  contended  that 
the  Hospital  Surgeon  is  more  familiar  with  the  condition  of  the  appli- 
cant, than  the  Board  of  Examiners,  and  therefore,  is  the  better  judge 
of  his  necessities,  and  hence,  the  Board  of  Examiners  should  have  no 
power  to  overrule  his  opinion.  In  reference  to  the  mere  question  of 
fact,  here  presented,  the  Committee  are  inclined  to  concur  with  them, 
who  urge  the    objection    in    favor    of   the    opinion   of    the  hospital 


9 

surgeon.  'Whether  he  is  the  better  judge  of  the  sick  man's  necessi- 
ties or  not,  he  certainly  ought  to  be,  if  correct  knowledge  can  be 
derived  from  attention  to,  and  direct  contact  with  the  patient,  during 
his  illness  fur  days  and  weeks.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  urged  that 
the  hospital  surgeon,  for  this  very  reason,  will  be  more  liable  to 
abuse  this  power,  not  from  intention  to  do  so,  but  from  sympathy 
with  the  sick.  Nevertheless,  your  Committee  believe  it  is  better,  in 
all  such  cases,  to  err  on  the  side  of  humanity,  and.  in  the  long  run, 
it  will  be  the  wiser  policy  that  will  now  and  then  suffer  a  sick  soldier 
to  obtain  a  fujlough  who  would  have  regained  his  health  without  it, 
than  by  a  too  stringent  rule,  retain  one  in  the  hospital  to  die,  who 
might  have  recovered,  had  ho  been  permitted  to  return  home. 

Your  Committee  can  appreciate  the  great  injury  that  might  be  done 
to  the  service,  by  allowing  too  much  latitude  in  an  unrestricted  exer- 
cise of  this  power  by  hospital  surgeons.  Still,  if  the  Examining 
Board  act  under  restrictions,  there  can  be  no  great  abuse  by  requiring 
hospital  surgeons  to  act  under  the  same. 

To  what  extent  it  may  bo  wise  for  Congress  to  undertake  to  perfect 
some  system  for  granting  furloughs,  in  a  manner  agreeable  and  bene- 
ficial to  the  sick,  and  without  injury  to  our  army,  is  a  question  that 
will  justify  your  consideration.  Could  this  be  done  without  preju- 
dice to  the  service,  it  would  meet  the  heartfelt  approval  of  all  cla- 
It  would  save  to  the  Government  a  large  expenditure  of  money,  and 
perhaps  preserve  many  valuable  lives.  It  will  be  seen  by  the  report 
herewith  accompanying,  that  under  existing  regulations,  but  few  sick 
soldiers  comparatively,  obtain  furloughs.  Your  committee  are  fearful 
that  the  Government  in  undertaking  to  prescribe  a  rule  upon  the  sub- 
ject, has  in  too  great  caution,  embarrassed  the  whole  proceedings  with 
such  restrictions  as  to  defeat  to  a  very  great  extent  the  beneficient 
purpose  for  which  this  right  is  recognized  at  all.  The  serious  obstacle 
in  the  way  of  a  more  liberal  policy  in  furloughing  sick  soldiers  is  that 
in  a  majority  of  cases,  they  do  not  promptly  report  for  duty  at  the 
expiration  of  their  furlough.  This  might  be  remedied  by  transmitting 
to  each  Sheriff  of  the  various  counties  of  the  Confederacy,  the  name. 
and  locality  of  each  furloughcd  soldier,  and  the  time  for  which  he  is 
furloughed,  and  require  such  Sheriff  to  sec  that  the  soldier  returns 
promptly  to  duty  at  the  proper  time.  The  subject  being  one  of  great 
interest  to  the  sick,  your  committee  feel  that  it  is  incumbent  upon  them 
to  call  the  attention  of  Congress  to  it. 

Your  committee  having  reviewed  to  some  extent,  the  causes  of  com- 
plaint and  the  defects  of  our  system,  immediately  connected  with  the 
comfort  and  proper  care  of  the  sick,  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Senate  to  oti  cr  legislation,  necessary  to  correct  evils  more  remote- 
ly connected  with  the  system. 

Railroads  and  Railroad  Agents  and  Conductors. 

The  great  inconvenience  experienced  by  the  sick  and  wounded  in 
obtaining  seats  in  railroad  cars,  and  the  cruel  discomforts  they  are 
compelled  to  endure  when  the  trains  are  moving,  make  it  in  the  opin- 


10 

ion  of  the  committee,  imperative  upon  Congress  to  apply  some  essen- 
tial corrective.  Under  existing  regulations,  no  seats  are  reserved  for 
the  sick  and  wounded.  When  they  reach  the  depot  they  are  compel- 
led in  many  instances,  to  take  their  chances  with  the  crowd.  The  re- 
sult is  that,  the  stout,  active,  "well  man,  pushes. the  sick  or  wounded 
soldier  aside,  thereby  obtaining  the  best  and  most  agreeable  seats.  If 
the  number  of  passengers  be  greater  than  the  number  of  seats,  and 
any  one  is  to  be  left  behind,  upon  the  platform,  of  course  it  is  the  sick 
and  feeble  soldier — who  in  some  instances  is  without  money  and  with- 
out friends.  If  he  chance  to  get  upon  the  train,  he  is  liable  to  be  jos- 
tled by  the  crowd,  and  not  unfrequently,  to  sit  or  lie  upon  the  floor. 
Upon  many  of  the  railroad  trains,  no  water  is  provided  for  the  benefit 
of  passengers,  whether  sick  or  well.  This  is  a  source  of  great  suffer- 
ing to  the  sick  and  disabled,  who  cannot  avail  themselves  of  such 
chances  as  may  be  offered  upon  the  route,  to  obtain  water.  From  this 
cause,  they  are  often  for  hours,  compelled  to  do  without  it.  This  is 
all  wrong,  and  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  not  very  complimentary  to  the 
humanity  and  diligence  of  railroad  managers,  agents  and  conductors. 
Your  committee,  therefore,  recommend,  that  all  railroad  agents  and 
conductors  shall  be  required  to  reserve  the  seats  in  one  or  more  cars, 
as  the  necessities  of  the  case  may  be,  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  that  no  person  not  sick  or  wounded  shall  be  permitted 
to  enter  the  car  or  cars  so  reserved,  until  the  sick  and  wounded  and 
their  friends  and  attendants  if  any,  shall  first  have  obtained  seats  in 
the  same,  and  in  no  case  shall  said  car  or  cars  be  crowded  by  persons, 
to  the  annoyance  and  discomfort  of  the  sick  and  wounded — and  that 
all  railroad  agents  and  conductors  shall  be  required  to  observe  this 
regulation  under  penalties  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Supernumerary  Surgeons — Field  Amhulances  or  Provisional  Hospitals. 

The  necessity  for  some  additional  legislation  upon  this  subject  be- 
comes daily  more  apparent.  The  rapid  movements  of  our  armies  in 
the  field,  and  the  sudden  and  bloody  engagements  with  the  enemy, 
which  so  frequently  occur,  render  the  organization  of  such  corps  and 
hospitals  absolutely  necessary.  No  such  corps  being  provided,  and  no 
such  hospitals  established  at  this  time,  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the 
army,  after  the  late  glorious  victory  at  Manassas,  were  left  necessari- 
ly upon  the  cold  ground,  and  to  the  mercy  of  the  elements  for  days 
and  even  weeks.  Surely  the  Government  of  the  Confederate  States 
do  not  thus  desire  to  requite  the  services  of  the  brave  men  now  fight- 
ing its  battles.  All  that  can  be  done  for  their  relief  and  comfort, 
should  be  done,  and  must  be  done,  without  re'gard  to  cost  or  trouble. 
The  life  of  one  brave  soldier  should  be  deemed  more  precious  in  the  es- 
timation of  our  whole  country,  than  all  the  dollars  and  cents  that  can 
be  hoarded  in  the  public  treasury.  Let  the  Government  signalize  its 
conduct  towards  our  army  by  a  generous  and  even  watchful  policy — a 
policy  that  looks  to  the  preservation  of  valuable  lives,  and  to  a  miti- 
gation of  those  terrible  misfortunes  and  sufferings  which  are  incident 
to  every  bloody  war.     By  doing  this,  they  will  strengthen  the  arms  of 


11 

our  brave  men  in  the  field,  and  if  perchance  they  are  compelled  by 
disease  or  wounds  to  fall  out  of  the  rank?,  they  will  know  that  a  grate- 
ful country  is  ever  mindful  of  their  wants  and  necessities.  These  hos- 
pitals, when  established,  are  designed  as  temporary  receptacles  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  after  an  engagement  with  the  enemy,  or  when  the 
army  advances  or  falls  back  from  one  camp  to  another.  Of  course 
the  length  of  time  the  sick  and  wounded  will  be  required  to  remain 
in  these  hospitals,  will  depend  in  a  great  measure  upon  circumstances. 

Auxiliary  to  the  establishment  of  provisional  hospitals,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  authorize  the  appointment  of  additional  surgeons  and 
assistant  surgeons,  to  take  charge  of  the  hospitals,  and  to  render  upon 
the  field  that  prompt  assistance  to  the  sick  and  wounded  their  condition 
may  require.  A  regimental  surgeon  and  his  assistant  are  expected, 
when  on  duty,  at  all  times  to  remain  with  their  regiment?.  When  his 
regiment  moves,  he  cannot  remain  behind  to  take  charge  of  the  sick 
and  wounded.  If  he  do,  then  those  in  the  regiment  who  may  require 
his  services  must  s  ffcr.  If  he  do  not,  then  those  left  behind  must 
suffer,  in  the  event  no  other  surgeons  are  provided  to  take  charge  of 
them.  All  of  this  difficulty  can  be  obviated  by  the  appointment  of  su- 
pernumerary surgeons  and  assistant  surgeons  in  sufficient  number  to 
take  charge  of  such  sick  and  wounded  as  may  not  be  able  to  advance  with 
the  army.  The  regimental  surgeons  can  then  remain  with  their  regi- 
ments, and  in  this  way  none  will  be  neglected. 

In  conclusion,  your  committee  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
Senate  to  the  following  interesting  statistics  connected  with  our  hospital 
system.  Within  and  near  the  cities  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  there 
are  forty-nine  hospitals,  public  and  private,  affording  shelter  anil  pro- 
tection to  the  sick  and  disabled  of  our  army.  Chimborazo  and  Winder 
hospitals,  included  in  the  above  number,  each  consist  of  five  separate 
divisions,  with  a  surgeon  and  two  assistant  surgeons  in  each  division, 
which  several  divisions  may  be  regarded  as  separate  and  distinct  hospi- 
tals, and  should  they  be  so  estimated,  would  make  the  whole  number 
fifty-eight.  In  all  the  hospitals  in  and  near  the  city  of  Richmond,  since 
their  organization,  there  have  been  received  ninety-nine  thousand  five 
hundred  and  eight  (99,508)*  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  and  officers  of 
our  army.  Of  this  number,  nine  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  (9,7  7-1)  have  received  furloughs;  two  thousand  three  hundred  and 
forty-one  (2,341)  have  been  discharged,  and  seven  thousand,  six  hun- 
dred and  three  (7,(303)  have  died.  x\.t  this  time  there  remains  in  all 
these  hospitals,  ten  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty  (10,720.) 

In  all  the  hospitals  in  and  near  the  city  of  Petersburg,  since  their 
organization,  there  have  been  received  eleven  thousand  one  hundred 
and  seventy  (11,170)  sick  and  wounded  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
army.  Of  this  number,  eight  hundred  and  twenty-eight  (828)  have 
received  furloughs.  One  hundred  and  fifty-seven  (157)  have  been 
discharged,  and  seven  hundred  and  ninety-seven  (797)  have  died. 

At  this  time  the  sick  and  wounded  now  in  the  hospitals  at  Peters- 
burg,  will  not  exceed  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety-two 
(1,892). 

From  these  figures   it  will  appear  that  the  hospitals  in  these  two 


12 

cities  alone  since  the  commencement  of  our  present  straggle  for  inde- 
pendence, have  afforded  protection  and  shelter  to  one  hundred  and  ten 
thousand  six  hundred  and  seventy-eight  (  10,678)  of  the  brave  and 
pliant  soldiers  of  our  army.  These  figures  but  embrace  the  inmates 
heretofore  received  into  the  hospitals  of  only  two  cities  within  the 
limits  of  the  Confederacy.  Our  great  armies  of  the  West  and  the 
South  likewise,  have  their  hospitals,  and  their  inmates  of  which  no 
report  can  nDw  be  made.  But  these  figures  are  enough  to  impress 
Congress,  and  the  whole  country  with  the  vast  importance  of  our  hos- 
pital system,  and  the  h'gh  and  solemn  responsibilities  that  devolve 
upon  them,  and  not  only  upon  them,  but  more  solemnly,  if  possible, 
upon  the  surgeon's  in  chief,  and  in  charge,  who  hold  in  their  hands  the 
lives  and  health  of  a  multitude  so  vast,  yet  so  helpless  and  dependent. 
How  important  then  is  it  that  our  system  should  be  the  wisest  and  best 
our  means  will  authorize,  and  how  doubly  important  is  it,  that  Con- 
gress with  a  generous  hand,  and  an  earnest  sympathy  should  facilitate, 
strengthen  and  uphold  every  effort  of  the  medical  department  to  dis- 
charge faithfully  and  efficiently  their  high  and  sacred  responsibilities. 
If  they  fail  to  do  this  the  cry  of  orphanage,  and  the  mourn  of  many 
a  widowed  wife  will  be  heard  in  rebuke  and  condemnation  against 
them.  W.  E.   SIMMS,  Chairman, 

JOHN  W.  LEWIS, 
CHAS.  B.   MITCHEL. 


13 

REPORT  OF  SICK  AND  WOUNDED  OF  THE  ARMY.  RECEIVED  INTO 
HOSPITALS,  FURLOUGHED.  DISCHARGED,  DIED.  STATION,  RICH- 
MOND, VA.,  FROM  DATE  OF  ORGANIZATION  TO  PRESENT  TIME  : 


HOSPTIALS. 

No.   An- 

Fm 

Dis- 

REMARKS. 

MITTKD. 

Lf'K.IlBD 

CHAKGiiP. 

Gen  ral  Hospital  No 

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21 

1,098 

178 

22 

106 

•4 

22 

885 

29 

4 

20 

" 

28 

5lil 

66 

i 

1 1 

" 

•J  I 

67S 

::sr 

11 

44 

* 

81 

■  •■. 

45 

1 

16 

li 

9(3 

m 

1 6fi 

S 

27 

" 

87 

128 

87 

o 

11 

No  remark?. 

24,895 

2  \-7) 
581 

1,289 

til 

2  r88 

1,106 

66 

114 

1  271 
28 

Hi  «a"d  Grove.  . . . 

No  rema-ks. 

2,625 

179 

160 

219 

1,191 

488 

'4 

88 

No  report  handed  In  by  Su  geon  Mich  1, 

8  100 
1,081 

P2 
82 

186 
82 

166 

114 

Medic  il  College 

228 

5l 

8 

21 

842 
979 

84 
R1 

82 

27 

86 
29 

St   Francis  He  Sales 

445 

128 

11 

1!) 

llob-rtsnu 

550 

44 

5' 

46 

Clui  Ion 

t65 

98 

4 

11 

C  S.  iTi-on 

Hh  le  Dumber  remaining  at  tins  time  in 
all  the  ho.ipit.i's  i  •  K  <hm<no.  10.720. 

Total 

9,774 

2,841 

Scrgko:;  Gesrhal's  Oificf,  Richrrond,  Va .,  September  17,  1SC2. 


S.  P.  MOORF,  Surgeon  General. 


REPORT  OF  HOSPITALS  IN  AND  NEAR  PETERSBURG. 


PETERSBURG      HOSPI- 
TALS. 


Ladles  Hospital 

General  Horpital 

South  Oarol'na  Ho. pit  I. 
1-t  N.  >iai  ollnn  Hospital 
2d  N.  Car  Una  Hospital. 

C.  Sta'fs  Hi  ^i.iial 

P  plar  Lawn  Hospit  il. . . 


Fnn- 

Tr.ANSFKt- 

PI- 

LOCOnED. 

6 

RBD. 

CHARGED. 

8 

12S 

44 

80 

20 

19' 

28 

191 

in 

.      146 

46 

86 

8 

828 

157 

17 
111 
18-1 
177 
156 
146 

6) 


Wnni.B 

Nl'MUKrt. 


397 
2089 
1889 
2098 
1673 
2190 
1084 


0.  S.  Touch. 
.1.  It.  St ra chan. 
.1.  (1.  Broadnax, 
i.  M.  Henderson. 
II.  C    Warren. 
W.  S.  Baylor. 

\   Holmes. 


Total 833  I  157  797  11170 

Whole  Dumber  now  in  all  the  II'  spitals  In  and  ne  ;r  Petersburg,  1E92. 

P.  K.  HINSS,  Oh/cf  Surgeon. 

Pctexsbu-g,  1  - 


\ 


\ 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH8.5 


